Shah Rukh Khan stripped of cop cover

Jan 19, 2013, 12.00AM ISTMumbai Mirror[ Nazia Sayed ]

Shah Rukh Khan More Pics

Shah Rukh Khan has been stripped of police security after a recent review by authorities concluded that he no longer faces any threat. Until 10 days ago, eight constables from the Mumbai police's Protection and Security Branch used to guard him in two shifts.

The actor was provided police cover in 2008 after the 'Indian Mujahideen' sent an email to news channels, threatening attacks on him and three other celebrities. Some industrialists also figured in the terror outfit's 'hit list'. Intelligence reports of fresh threats against Khan in 2010 forced authorities to maintain the cover, though the number of policemen was reduced to half. Last year, Deputy Police Commissioner Pratap Dighavkar submitted a report to then police chief Arup Patnaik, warning of threats from the 'Lashkar-e-Taiba' to Khan and his son, Aryan. However, months after the report, the Protection and Security Branch carried out an audit, and decided to withdraw the cover.

An officer with the department said that the Wankhede Stadium episode and Khan's scuffle with film-maker Shirish Kunder at a Juhu pub had also resulted in the decision. "A person's behaviour is also taken into account while reviewing his security," the officer said.